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UPS Expands Options for Trade with Japan

ATLANTA, Nov. 2, 2006 -- UPS (NYSE:UPS) has taken a major step to expand trading options with Japan while also improving intra-Asia transportation by introducing UPS Trade Direct^sm service inbound to Japan.

The service now is available from 50 origin countries in North America, Europe and Asia. Because Trade Direct reduces the need for a traditional distribution center, the service opens new doors for small- and medium-size retailers wishing to do business in Japan.

UPS Trade Direct is an international freight service that combines air or ocean freight transportation and customs clearance with package and less-than-truckload (LTL) service for final delivery. The result is a faster transit time and the ability to bypass traditional warehouses and distribution centers because shipments can go directly from airplane or ship into the local UPS delivery network. UPS introduced the service in 2002 and this latest Trade Direct expansion follows the successful implementation of the service along other major routes.

The Japan service is the first Trade Direct inbound lane to be opened in Asia by UPS. Trade Direct Air will serve the inbound Japanese market through Osaka and Tokyo, where UPS has daily flights from Anchorage, Alaska; Shanghai, and the UPS Asia Pacific air hub in the Philippines. Trade Direct Ocean will flow through the ports of Kobe and Tokyo. Within Asia, Trade Direct Air will be available from 25 air gateways across 12 countries and Trade Direct Ocean will be available from 27 ocean ports in 11 countries.

“Utilizing our expanded Trade Direct offering is one of the most efficient and quickest ways of getting finished goods into the hands of retailers and consumers in Asia,” said Bob Stoffel, UPS senior vice president of the Supply Chain Group. “Japan is one of China’s top import partners and the growth of imports from other countries continues to increase. Trade Direct will significantly simplify and improve doing business in Japan and should open that expanding market to small and medium sized businesses.”

UPS Trade Direct streamlines international business by moving freight and packages that are destined for multiple addresses as one shipment, with a single entry customs clearance. Upon arrival in Japan, the packages are inserted into the UPS transportation network for final delivery to retail stores or consumers. With Trade Direct, goods can be shipped faster and more efficiently and customers have a single point of contact, one shipping invoice and tracking information through the supply chain visibility tool Flex Global View .

For more information about UPS Trade Direct products, visit pressroom.ups.com/tradedirect.

UPS is the world’s largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain services, offering an extensive range of options for synchronizing the movement of goods, information and funds. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., UPS serves more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. UPS's stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (UPS) and the company can be found on the Web at UPS.com. To get UPS news direct, visit pressroom.ups.com/RSS.

• Pat Steffen
  psteffen@ups.com
  678-746-6597